Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions are questions that are commonly asked by people interested in the Love My Neighbor! grant. We went ahead and answered some of those commonly asked questions. If you read this and still have questions, reach out to Shikha directly!

How much money is available? Grants range $500 – $2,500. The total amount of grant money available for this cycle is $63,000, $7,000 per each of the 9 neighborhoods.

Does everyone get funded? No, not all applicants receive a grant. To increase the possibility of receiving a grant, make sure your project meets the criteria in #3!

How do I know if my project qualifies? Your project qualifies if it meets the following criteria.

Your project meaningfully includes and engages your neighbors.

Your project benefits your neighbors and neighborhood.

Your project builds on the strengths in your neighborhood.

When is the deadline? This year, there are 3 deadlines: January 31st, February 28th, and March 31st. The time deadline for submission on these dates is 11:59pm. It is highly encouraged that you take advantage of the earlier deadlines. This way, if your grant is not accepted during the first deadline, you will have at least another deadline to reapply for funding.

How do you submit your grant application? You may handwrite the application and submit at one of the drop off locations. You can also apply online at LoveMyNeighborGrants.org. For the drop off locations, online application, or any other information, please visit this link.

Do all grant recipients need a fiscal sponsor? A fiscal sponsor is a non-profit organization or 501c3 organization that agrees to track the expenses of your project. Neighborhood Allies requires all grant recipients to have a fiscal sponsor to account for all of grant expenses so that we can report them during our financial audit. You do not need to have a fiscal sponsor if you are a non-profit organization or a 501c3. If you are not a non-profit organization or 501c3, grant recipients will need a fiscal sponsor. If you do not have a fiscal sponsor, Neighborhood Allies will help you find one! If the grant recipients have a non-profit organization that can provide this service to them, they can suggest it to Neighborhood Allies and, if deemed a supportive agency, the agency will serve as the fiscal agent to the grant recipients. If you do not understand what a fiscal sponsor is or do not know how to get one, we recommend you attend a workshop or call Shikha – 412.471.3727.

Who does Love My Neighbor! fund? Residents from one of the nine target communities: Allentown, Beltzhoover, Hill District, Homewood, Knoxville, Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington, Millvale, and Wilkinsburg. Any neighborhood group is eligible to apply even if they are not incorporated. GGC will fund grassroots projects from non-profit organizations if the project is truly grassroots and if it improves the quality of life in the neighborhood.

Who does Love My Neighbor! not fund? Incorporated organizations that provide social services or serve religious purposes are not eligible for grants. Incorporated business organizations are not eligible for grants. Additionally, people in elected positions may not apply for grants.

Will Love My Neighbor! fund faith-based entities?Yes, only if their project does not have a religious purpose.

Will Love My Neighbor! fund an organization of just one person? Yes if that person is a resident from one of the 9 target neighborhoods (see #6 above) and is leading the initiative.

What about funding groups multiple times? How many times will Love My Neighbor! fund a group or organization? Currently there is no limit. However, if a group of residents wishes to reapply, the must demonstrate increased capacity in terms of greater skills, knowledge and connections in being able to complete their new project.

Which communities are eligible to apply for grants? See #6 above.

What about multiple programs that use the same church/organization for space and/or as a fiscal agent? This is very tricky and you must look closely to make this decision. If you have an indication that the organization/church is really driving all of these activities, then no, only one program can be funded. But if these are independent groups and they are just using the facility (or have the same fiscal agent), then you can fund all of them.

How are decisions made? Decisions on grants are made my the GGC or the Grassroots Grantmaking Committee. The GGC is a group of residents that are from the communities where the grants are offered. The Committee decided to not make decisions about grants from their own neighborhood. They made decision recognizing the bias – both positive and negative – that plays a part implicitly in decision making. GGC members learn about and do neighborhood tours of the communities of which the residents, who apply for the program, live.

About Love My Neighbor

No one knows our communities as well as those who live in them do. Love My Neighbor! Grant Program, an initiative founded by Neighborhood Allies, invests in the ingenuity, talent, creativity, and hope in our communities by investing in resident-led projects that aim to improve neighborhoods and engage neighbors.

About Neighborhood Allies

Our mission is to support the people, organizations and partnerships committed to creating and maintaining thriving neighborhoods. Our vision is a Pittsburgh with healthy neighborhoods that are thriving, resilient and livable for all.